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      • Rebates and Incentives
      • Manage My Energy Usage
        • Home Energy Assessment
      • Energy Saving Tips
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      • Infinity Renewable Energy
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      • Power Line Safety
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Electric Service Construction

CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION

Whether you are building a new home or upgrading an existing service, it is important to communicate with us while in the planning stages. The process for requesting electric service construction is outlined below. Please contact us at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083 or visit our office at 4111 Technology Drive NW in Bemidji, and we will be happy to assist you with this process or answer any questions.

Residential Service Construction Application Business Service Construction Application

Electric Service Construction Requirements

The process for a construction of a new electric service or requesting changes to an existing electric service are outlined below.

Step 1: Complete the New Service/Service Improvement Application, Membership Application, and Site Sketch and return to: Beltrami Electric Cooperative, 4111 Technology Dr NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, email to info@beltramielectric.com, or fax to 218-444-3676. Applications may also be submitted electronically below.

Step 2:  Refer to the New Service/Service Improvement Guidelines listed below. These must be completed prior to scheduling your electric service construction.

Step 3: Pay Fees - Membership fee, deposit (if required) and Contribution-in-Aid to construction.

Printer Friendly Version of Service Construction Guidelines/Rates

Electric Service Construction Guidelines

Complete an Application for a New Electric Service/Service Improvement

New Service: Construction of a new electric service

Service Improvement: Construction to make changes to an existing electric service

Electric Service Construction Application

Site Sketch

Complete a Membership Application

It's easy to start the membership application process. If you are not currently a member of Beltrami Electric Cooperative, you will need to complete a membership application. Please contact our office

  • By Phone: call our friendly member service representatives Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083. You will receive a membership form via mail, email or text to complete and return to the cooperative.

  • In Person: our office is located at 4111 Technology Dr NW, Bemidji. Walk-in office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A $50 membership fee is required (unless you are an active member) and calculated deposit (if applicable) are due prior to construction.

Complete a Right-of-Way Easement

Right-of-way easements give Beltrami Electric Cooperative permission to install and maintain electrical equipment on your property. The easement is created by Beltrami Electric Cooperative and must be signed and notarized by all affected property owners.

Please provide a copy of the property Warranty Deed or Reservation/Tribal Land assignment that includes the landowner's names and a legal description of the property. (Tax statements or abstract will not be accepted.)

** If you are requesting changes to your existing electric service, contact our office to determine if an updated easement is required.

Create a Right-of-Way Corridor (New Service)

The Right-of-Way corridor for your new electric service will be your driveway.  It should have a 10-foot corridor to either side and must be in place before scheduling a staking appointment for your new service construction.

View Right-of-Way corridor example

Acquire Proof of E911 Address (New Service)

You must acquire proof of an E911 address for your new electric service from the county or tribal entity in which you live.

Beltrami County Cass County Hubbard County

 

 

 

Call to Schedule a Staking Appointment

Once you have completed the above steps, you are ready to schedule a staking appointment.

Note: Beltrami Electric will need to know where other utilities are/will be located, and your meter base location needs to be marked prior to scheduling your staking appointment. The homeowner or contractor must be available to meet with the staking technician.

Call 218-444-2540 or 800-955-6083 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to schedule a staking appointment.

Pay Electric Service Construction Charges

Construction Charges for the 2022 Construction Season (Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022).

* Charges for construction are quoted by the staking technician after your staking appointment and are good for the current construction year only.

Single-phase service:

  • New Service
    • $550 minimum Contribution-in-Aid plus $7.00 per foot.
       
  • Service Improvement
    • $850 minimum Contribution-in-Aid plus $7.00 per foot for single-phase primary or secondary.
    • $2.00 per foot for second run of single-phase secondary.
    • Members completing service improvements for the installation of new or additional off-peak electric heating and other managed loads will receive a $300 credit off the minimum service improvement fee and a credit on the footage for up to 200 feet of line. Footage in excess of 200 feet shall be charged $2.00 per foot.
       
  • Any charges in addition to the minimum Contribution-in-Aid will be determined at the time of staking.

Three-phase and Non-Standard services:

  • Contribution-in-Aid will be determined after the staking appointment with our technician.

Contribution-in-Aid to construction: CIAC overs a portion of the costs associated with the service construction, such as the initial application, recording fee, staking appointment, etc.

Install Your Meter Base

Meter Base Requirements

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry requires an electrical inspection. All wiring performed on the members' side of the meter must be filed and inspected by the Minnesota State Electrical Inspector per state law. Requests for inspection can be accessed online here. If an electrical contractor is performing the work, they will take care of the electrical inspection requirements.

Meter Loop Ownership

All parties making requests for electric service and all existing members requiring system improvements will be required to furnish and install their own meter loop. This includes the meter base, ground rod and wire, main service panel, circuit breakers, emergency disconnects, PVC or other conduits and fittings, and all wire from the meter base to the service panels. The member shall retain ownership of and be responsible to maintain their meter loop and meter base. Beltrami Electric recommends members use a licensed electrical contractor to install and provide this equipment for them.

The cooperative will supply the meter and the secondary wire from the transformer to the meter loop in all cases except those requiring greater than 320-amp service.

Single-phase: 200 amp to 320-amp Services - Meter Bases

The member will be responsible for providing a 4-terminal (Form 2S) compatible, lever bypass meter base.

Note: The 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) states that for one and two-family dwelling units, all service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available fault current, installed in a readily accessible outdoor location. If more than one disconnect is provided, they shall be grouped.

Wiring Troubleshooting:

Wiring problems beyond the metering point are the responsibility of the member and an electrical contractor should be contacted for repairs. However, if the problem involves your off-peak service, please contact the office so the load management technicians may inspect the receivers and equipment.

Schedule Your Electric Service Construction

Upon completion of the above steps, call 218-444-2540 or 800-955-6083 to schedule your electric service construction.

Construction Terms & Conditions

  • It is the owner's responsibility to locate and expose their private lines before construction takes place. All markers need to be intact when construction happens. Any water lines buried deeper than 48 inches do not have to be exposed. The cooperative is not responsible for damages to private lines such as cable TV, satellite, private electrical, water, well, sewer, telephone, gas, lift station pump lines, underground dog fences or sprinkler system lines.

  • It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain and clear right-of-way.

  • Applicants will pay for the cost of all permits and/or grant of easements required for this electric service and will help obtain any permits and/or easements necessary to construct the line.

  • This type of work will be done as construction crews are available. Emergencies, such as outages, maintenance, road moves, and other necessary line construction will have priority over construction of services.

  • All construction cost quotes are valid for the current construction season, January 1 to December 31, and do not include any membership fee or deposits that may be due.

  • Frost charges of an additional $7.00 per foot with a $500 minimum will be applied to all underground services installed between November 1 and May 1 of each year dependent on MnDOT road restrictions.

  • If the service cannot be energized at the time of construction, a meter reconnect fee will apply at the current reconnect rate. Any work in addition to energizing that cannot be completed will be considered a Service Improvement or New Relocation of Facilities and subject to the current rates.

  • Services are energized at the time of construction. Billing for the monthly access charge will begin once a new service has been built and will continue for a minimum of 12 months. The access charge will be billed according to the current rate structure regardless of any energy used.

  • Disconnection of a new service may be made after one year of continuous service. If a member requests disconnection prior to one continuous year of service, the current access charge for the remaining months of that year will be billed to the member via a lump sum on final bill.

Building a new home?

Couple standing in front of ghosted home plans

Let BEC Help You!

One of the many decisions you will make when building your new home includes your heating system. It’s easy to budget your mortgage, but it can be difficult to predict what your utility costs will be. 

  • Bring your detailed plans to Beltrami Electric and let our energy experts complete a comprehensive heat loss calculation of your new home. 

  • We will assist you by providing options for different heating systems to help you save money on your heating bills.

  • Receive an annual estimate of what it will cost to heat your home based on various systems and fuel types.

  • We will work with you to take advantage of all available rebates as well.

A good heating system should combine comfort and value to keep your heating costs low and your new home warm. 

Contact our Energy Services Department at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083 to learn more!

Contractors

Electrician tools displayed on table

Find a Contractor

Beltrami Electric Cooperative works with contractors from across its service area, from electrical, HVAC, plumbing and building.  You will find a listing of various contractors below that participate in Beltrami Electric's contractors program.

View Listing

Electrical Inspectors

Electrical inspector with clipboard in front of residence

Electrical Inspections

Any time you or an electrician performs wiring or other electrical work at your home, farm or business, Minnesota state law requires a state electrical inspector to conduct a proper inspection of the work.  The state of Minnesota has high wiring standards, which are in the best interest of you, your family and your employees.

Electrical Inspection Checklist

Below is a list of electrical inspectors covering the area served by Beltrami Electric.  They can be reached by phone Monday through Friday from 7:00 am - 8:30 am or by fax or email as indicated.

Beltrami County: Wade Koons, (218) 255-3011, wade@koonsinspections.com

Cass & Hubbard County: Brandon Disselbrett, (218) 640-0187, disselbrett@hotmail.com

Clearwater County: Terry Lane, (218) 237-8467

Itasca County: Steven Bartlett, (218) 591-1616

Koochiching County: Curt Collier, (218) 966-5070

 

Locating Private Facilities

Red wheelbarrow in yard with yellow flags marking underground faciliites
Cooperative Development logo

If you have private facilities that you would like to have located, you may contact Cooperative Development at 218-444-1143, and their locators will locate your private facilities for a fee. Cooperative Development provides residential and commercial directional drilling services and private locating services in north central Minnesota. Their experienced crew can help you with all your directional drilling needs for water and sewer lines, sprinkler systems, underground power lines and more.

Rebates/Incentives

Couple standing in attic under construction

Residential Rebates

For a complete list of available residential & commercial rebates, click here. Please contact our Energy Services department for information on requirements for off-peak heating, cooling, water heating and other incentives at 218-444-3622.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)

  • Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) space heating: $75/kW
  • Dual Fuel electric heating: $25/kW (electric heat that requires alternate fuel back-up)
  • 16 SEER or less Air-Source Heat Pump: $450/ton
  • 17 SEER or greater Air-Source Heat Pump: $650/ton
  • Supplemental heating for air-source heat pump: $500/unit (Steffes furnace or modulating plenum heater)
  • Geothermal Heat Pump (Closed loop): $400/ton ($5,000 max)
    • Bonus rebate: GHP on off-peak program: $250/ton
  • Geothermal Heat Pump (Open loop): $200/ton ($2,500 max)
    • Bonus rebate: GHP on off-peak program: $250/ton
  • Tune-up for central air or air source heat pump: $25/unit

Water Heating

(Water heaters must be connected to BEC's load management program to qualify) 

  • 55 gallon or less: $250
  • 56-99 gallon: $500
  • 100 gallon or greater: $800
  • Bonus rebate for new building construction: $100
  • Bonus rebate for conversion of existing non-electric water heater: $250

Thermostats

  • Programmable thermostat: Up to $25 (50% of purchase price)
  • Smart thermostat: Up to $50 (50% of purchase price)

Electric Transportation Charger

  • Level 2 or Level 3 charger: $100/kW
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Beltrami Electric Cooperative

4111 Technology Dr NW
P.O. Box 488 | Bemidji, MN 56619

Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. M-F

Beltrami Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Phone Contacts

Phone: 24/7 Outage Reporting:
(800) 955-6083  |  (218) 444-2540

Fax: (218) 444-3676

Pay by phone: (855) 356-6345

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©2023 Beltrami Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • HOME
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • MY BILL
      • View/Pay My Bill
      • SmartHub
      • Payment Options
      • Payment Assistance
      • High Bill Concern
      • Understanding My Bill
    • MY ACCOUNT
      • New Member Info
      • Account Management
        • Update My Information
      • Budget Billing
      • Capital Credits
      • Forms
      • Member Privacy
    • MY ELECTRIC SERVICE
      • Start/Stop/Transfer Service
      • Electric Service Construction
  • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
    • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
      • Products
        • GenerLink
        • Marathon Water Heaters
        • Steffes Electric Thermal Storage Heaters
      • Contractor Resources
      • Home Energy Assessment
      • Electric Heating Systems
      • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
      • Load Management
    • REBATES AND ENERGY SAVINGS
      • Rebates and Incentives
      • Manage My Energy Usage
        • Home Energy Assessment
      • Energy Saving Tips
      • Cost Comparison
    • RENEWABLE ENERGY
      • Infinity Renewable Energy
      • Member-Owned Renewable Energy Systems
      • Northern Solar
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • About Your Cooperative
      • What is an Electric Co-op?
        • History of Beltrami Electric Cooperative
      • Annual & District Meetings
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • Board of Directors
      • Contact Information
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Energy Resources Profile
      • Energy Resources Tour
      • Leadership Team
      • Political Action
      • Statement of Non-Discrimination
    • COMMUNITY
      • Community Room
        • Community Room Calendar & Reservation Request Form
      • Co-op Connections Card
        • Co-op Connections Discount Card Local Discounts
      • Operation RoundUp
      • Education & Scholarships
        • Youth Tour-Washington, DC
        • Scholarships
      • GreenTouch
      • Indoor Garage Sale
      • Touchstone Energy Community Award
      • Touchstone Energy Open
    • NEWS AND MEDIA
      • Beltrami Electric News
      • Member Newsletters
        • Place a classified ad
      • Media Contacts
      • Utility Scams-Beware
      • Links & Resources
  • OUTAGES AND SAFETY
    • Outages
      • Outage & Storm Center
        • Outage FAQs
      • Report a Power Outage
      • Current Outages
      • Restoration Process
      • Outage Preparedness
      • Using a Generator During an Outage
    • Safety
      • Power Line Safety
      • Electrical Safety
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Vegetation Management